Cultivating Immortality Begins with Acting as a Girl Chapter 044

“Guo Yangdi?”

Song Ling raised an eyebrow, the image of the white-robed young man wearing a black cloth hat at the Southern Garden Gathering appeared in his mind.

“Why is he looking for me?” Song Ling asked somewhat languidly.

Dong Zi lowered her head and said, “This servant doesn’t know either. Young Master Guo only said that he has something important to discuss with Miss, and that you will definitely be interested in it.”

“Then bring him in.”

Song Ling had no idea why Guo Yangdi had come, but since the other party was so certain that he would be interested, it wouldn’t hurt to meet him. Besides, he had nothing else to do at the moment.

“Yes.”

Dong Zi looked up at Song Ling, and cautiously said, “Miss, do you want to change your clothes…”

Song Ling was currently wearing a pure white cross-collared inner garment and inner trousers. This type of clothing was usually worn as a (chèn yī) for formal wear, and could also be worn as loungewear at home. However, it was a bit too casual and informal for receiving guests.

Song Ling said indifferently, “No need. Martial artists don’t bother with trivialities, and I’m sure Young Master Guo won’t mind.”

Guo Yangdi was not some extremely important person. It was already good enough that he was willing to meet him; he wasn’t going to bother with dressing up specially.

“Yes, this servant spoke out of turn.”

After Dong Zi finished speaking, she bowed and then turned to leave to invite Guo Yangdi in.

Song Ling walked to the clear pond in the courtyard, sat down cross-legged, and slowly adjusted his breathing by circulating his inner energy.

Don’t let his current appearance fool you; he looked perfectly fine, but in reality, because cultivating the Golden Stone Technique required him to repeatedly strike his entire body with cloth bags filled with iron and stones, his whole body was covered in bruises and aching faintly.

After a while, Dong Zi’s voice came from behind:

“Miss, Young Master Guo has arrived.”

Song Ling stood up and slowly bowed to Guo Yangdi: “Young Master Guo has come a long way. I apologize for not greeting you earlier.”

Guo Yangdi was wearing a dark green brocade robe today, with a jade belt around his waist, making him appear tall and elegant. He had a gentle smile on his face and bowed in return:

“Lady Yuling is too polite. It is I who have made a sudden visit, and I hope you will not mind.”

After speaking, he scanned Song Ling. He saw the young girl’s three thousand strands of dark hair casually draped over her shoulders, and her clothing was a simple white, possessing a beauty akin to “a lotus emerging from clear water, naturally unadorned.” This was a completely different style from the elaborate and luxurious attire she wore at the Southern Garden Gathering that day.

Compared to that day, he felt that this simple and clean appearance now better suited the young girl’s bold and valiant personality.

That sharp and heroic sword strike at the Southern Garden Gathering had simply pierced his heart.

Song Ling slightly turned sideways, gesturing for Guo Yangdi to enter the house. He then walked into the main hall first and sat down in the host’s seat. Guo Yangdi followed closely behind and sat in the guest’s seat. After Dong Zi served tea, she quietly retreated to the side to stand by.

“Young Master Guo, what is the important matter you’ve come for this time?” Song Ling took a sip of tea and went straight to the point.

After Guo Yangdi organized his words, he spoke:

“Is Lady Yuling interested in antiques and other collectibles?”

Song Ling’s hand holding the teacup paused slightly.

The fact that he went to Sanguan Street to buy collectibles every few days was no secret. Although he wore a veil every time he went out after gaining fame, it was still not difficult for those with intentions to find out his whereabouts.

“Is Young Master Guo perhaps monitoring me?”

Song Ling did not answer Guo Yangdi’s question, but instead asked back with a hint of coldness in his eyes.

Guo Yangdi, fearing that he would incur the young girl’s displeasure, quickly explained:

“Not at all. It’s just that I have a friend who owns a shop on Sanguan Street. He was also at the Southern Garden Gathering last time, so even though Lady Yuling was veiled, he vaguely recognized you. A few days ago, he mentioned this to me during a casual chat, which led me to deduce that Lady Yuling might be interested in antiques or handicrafts.”

Song Ling’s expression softened slightly and he said, “So that’s how it is. Then I have misunderstood Young Master Guo.”

“Not at all, not at all. It was I who was presumptuous.”

Guo Yangdi was very humble.

Song Ling: “So, I presume the important matter Young Master Guo mentioned today is related to this?”

“Exactly.”

Guo Yangdi nodded, then asked, “Has Lady Yuling ever heard of the Demon Suppression Bureau?”

“I know a little.”

Previously, when Jiang Yujin discussed his parents’ cause of death with him, she mentioned the existence of the Demon Suppression Bureau. It was an organization that, before the decline of the Great Yong Dynasty, was responsible for guarding various regions, slaying monsters, and protecting local peace. It once flourished. However, now, except for major cities like provincial capitals, the original Demon Suppression Bureau outposts have largely been abandoned.

Guo Yangdi continued:

“It just so happens that I recently received news through our Guo family’s channels that a Demon Suppression Bureau outpost located southwest of Dangwang Mountain contains a large number of precious antiques and various collections. It is speculated that these were left behind by a high-ranking official of the Demon Suppression Bureau named Jiang Zi, who didn’t have time to transfer them.”

“This Jiang Zi was quite famous back then, almost single-handedly controlling the cities within his jurisdiction. It is said that this person loved all kinds of antiques, and his collection contained countless rare items. I wonder if Lady Yuling would be interested in exploring it with me?”

Upon hearing this, Song Ling’s eyes flickered slightly.

He immediately understood what the other party was thinking. This Guo Yangdi had never shown any interest in cultural artifacts or collections. Now, suddenly bringing this up, if it wasn’t some conspiracy or trap, then it was most likely because he was interested in his persona as Jiang Yuling.

However, Song Ling didn’t intend to expose him. His persona was that of an arrogant martial arts genius girl who should be oblivious to matters of the heart.

Moreover, young people who were so infatuated were the easiest to exploit.

So Song Ling pretended to be a little puzzled:

“There should be many people in Suiyi City who like cultural artifacts. Why did Young Master Guo come to me?”

Guo Yangdi’s expression stiffened. He hadn’t expected Song Ling to ask such a question. Wasn’t his intention obvious enough? He was clearly infatuated with her, which was why he had specifically come to cater to her interests!

However, looking at the young girl’s genuinely puzzled expression, Guo Yangdi found himself unable to voice his true feelings.

An arrogant genius girl with monstrous martial arts talent was probably indeed not very sensitive to matters of the heart.

He was afraid that if he spoke too directly, the other party might refuse him outright, and then there would be no further development.

So, after pondering his words for a moment, Guo Yangdi bit the bullet and forced out an explanation:

“Indeed, there are many people who enjoy cultural artifacts, but most of them are merely seeking fame and reputation, with no genuine research into the collections themselves, only pursuing their notoriety or profit. I believe only truly passionate individuals like Lady Yuling are worthy of possessing such treasures.”

Song Ling looked at Guo Yangdi racking his brains and smiled inwardly, but on the surface, he didn’t make things difficult for him. He deliberately revealed a hint of arrogance:

“That’s true. When it comes to my affection for those cultural artifacts, I won’t lose to anyone.”

He pondered for a moment, then added:

“However, although Dangwang Mountain is not very far from here, it’s not a one or two-day round trip. There are also many monster activity areas along the way. With just the two of us, I’m afraid…”

Guo Yangdi immediately said:

“Lady Yuling doesn’t need to worry about that. I naturally wouldn’t put you in danger. I’ve already arranged for a first-rank expert from our Guo family to escort us along the way. If Lady Yuling is willing, we can depart at any time.”

“In that case, I will accompany Young Master Guo on this trip.”

Song Ling said.

…